Dish Network or DirecTV?

As each satellite provider boasts more HD content and features, the competition for satellite supremacy has never been tighter.



Dish vs. DirecTV? DirecTV vs. Dish? The debate rages on as rumors and speculation of a possible merger brim to the surface every few weeks. And with both satellite companies ramping up their offerings as of late, it’s hard to keep track of who has the edge. Dish Network recently launched its 100-percent TurboHD package, and boasts over 100 HD channels available. DirectTV is claiming over 130 HD channels. Both have moved to MPEG-4 and both want to be “Master of the Universe.” Since there can’t be two masters, is one of them good enough to hold the title?

Programming
DirecTV currently boasts 130 HD channels and projects 150 by end of the year. The Premiere package, which consists of 265+ channels (100 HD channels), is regularly priced at $104.99 a month. DirecTV generally offers promotions, like the current NFL Sunday Ticket plus Premiere package for $74.99. DirecTV says by end of year there will be access to local channels in HD in 121 markets, or more than 88-percent of U.S homes.

Dish Network is claiming 114 HD channels now, and 150 by the end of the year. Their latest offering is called TurboHD and it’s a 100-percent HD lineup. TurboHD Gold ($39.99) is the top-of-the-line package that offers the most HD channels. For $10 more you can add a seven-channel PlatinumHD package (includes channels like NBA TV and Universal HD) to any of the packages. For $5 more, you get your local network affiliates in HD like ABC, NBC, and Fox. That seems like a lot of add-ons, but you’re still only at $55 a month. (Premium channels and sports packages are also offered in HD, and cost extra.)

For more, check out
[Link: electronichouse.com]

View comparison charts
[Link: electronichouse.com]

DirecTV, Comcast & Dish are the options in my area.

The projects i have been on...

DirecTV 80%

Comcast 15% - Usually highrise buildings wired for cable or people who are bundling cable internet.

Dish 5% - Long time DISH users who wont budge.

They all have pros/cons. I prefer DirecTV as far as installation goes. Heres 1 reason why..

DirecTV 90% of the time. It's not without it's faults but it's far and away the best solution I have found.

We also use the HR21 Pro pictured above, saves having to use a Middle Atlantic Custom Rack Shelf and also saves you 1 rack space by not needing the CRS. The 21 pro is fan cooled and seems fairly robust. Easy for customers to reset if there is ever a problem as well (most DirecTV boxes) just press the red button behind the door.

I presonnaly have been a happy DirecTV/USSB customer since its inception way back in 1994.

The HR21 Pro also has an RS-232 port and an IR input port on the back. The IR port eliminates emitters hanging off the front and if your control system has an available RS-232 port you have an even better option for control.

There are a few other cool features but the control ports and the things Zephyr007 mentioned are by far the most important from where i stand IMO (usually behind a rack :).

Dish Network has the stupid rule that one account can have no more than six receivers. Or was it six tuners? (DVR has two tuners)

They have lost a few large customers of ours due to that.

We now have most of our clients go with DirecTV.

Later,

George P.

Six receivers. But, you can get them to change that if you speak to the executive resolution team. Send your info over to ceo@echostar.com, they'll call you within a day. If you ever have a major problem with dish that can't be solved through normal CSR's, take it there. It usually works.

If your average client wants 8,you have to go through that "process" every time?

Dish needs to wake up!

If the client wants to spend more money,why should it take an act of congress to allow it?

Agree 100%!

Im tired of having to jump thru hoops to be someones customer.. shouldnt it be the other way around?

DISH has a stupid rule.. stop doing business with DISH. Eventually the companies that have stupid rules wont be around. Right?

Yes, you've got a good point. That's not exactly a customer-friendly policy.

I can't figure out why it's good on their end either. Yes, I guess it might be a deterrent to account stacking, but they also charge a monthly fee on each box so in that respect it may not work out to their advantage at all.